Two Accused of Child Abuse

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Two people are locked up in Northumberland County, charged with child abuse.

Sunbury police arrested a 25-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man who they said beat a two-year-old child in their care.

Police are not saying what the relationship is between April Baker, Jason Philhower and the child, however investigators believe the abuse had been going on for weeks.

Sunbury police arrested two people living in an apartment on Susquehanna Avenue and charged them with beating a two-year old boy.

Baker, 25, and Philhower, 26, are accused of abusing the child who lived there.

Mary Ross lives in the apartment above them and said she would frequently hear yelling.

“I`m in the bathroom, getting ready for work and or just when I come home from work, then I hear them yelling and screaming,” said Ross.

Newswatch 16 found pictures on Facebook of April Baker and Jason Philhower, who both list their hometown as Sunbury.

Police charged Baker and Philhower with felony aggravated assault after the child was taken to a hospital on January 12 with a broken ankle and numerous bruises all over his body.

According to the police report, a relative stopped by last Thursday unannounced and heard the child crying inside and Baker yelling at him. When the relative went inside the apartment, they reportedly saw Baker holding the child upside down by the ankle. She then threw him on the couch.

Police said the relative noticed the child couldn`t stand and took him to the hospital.

Police said another person living at the apartment told officers they saw Baker and Philhower hit the boy multiple times for weeks.

Neighbor Elba Rivera has seven grandchildren and said this behavior is unacceptable.

“I wouldn`t tolerate abusing kids. A two year old, not even a six or seven year old. They don`t know what is up in your mind when you`re hitting them,” said Rivera.

“It`s not right. It`s not. We bring kids into this world because we love them, not to abuse,” said Ross.

Baker and Philhower are also facing felony charges of endangering the welfare of children as well as misdemeanor counts of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

They are both locked up at the Northumberland County jail on $75,000 bail .